Dipping mechanism



June 6, 1944.

J. v. DAvls DIPPING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 19', 1942 3 sheets-sheet 1 vATTORNEY June 6,1944. f J. v. DAvls DIPPING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 19,1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 014/4/ V/J BY.

Mn/Mr/ ATTORNEY June 6, 1944.

J.v V.' DAvls DIPPING MEcHAN-sm' Fi1ed Aug. 19, 1942 v 3 s nets-sheet sINVENTOR Jeff/v VDA W5 ATTORNEY BYV Patented June 6, 1944 UNITEosTATEsPATENT orrlci:1

2,350,496 DIPPING MECHANI'SM John V. Davis, Detroit., Mich.

Application vAugust 19, 1942, Serial No. 455,299

14 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel dipping mechanism intendedparticularly for use in moving the work from bath to bath in a platingprocess. One of the objects oi the invention is to provide such amechanism that lifts and lowers the work in a straight vertical line.The advantages of such a motion are that it enables economy in thedimensions of the baths and reduces the possibility of the work strikingthe walls of the baths and the anodes. In this connccticn it will benoted that an oblique motion of the work lengthwise of the tank causeswastage of tank length. while an oblique motion in the transversedirection would either cause the work to strike the anodes or` wouldrequire greater tank width.

The direct vertical movement is elected through a system oi' levers andlinks suspended from an overhead carrier or travelling support. Themechanism consists essentially of a pair of .suspended levers with meansfor turning them on their axes through a wide arc, preferably 180. Alink is pivotally suspended from the lower end of each such lever` andthe lower ends of the l'nks in turn are pivotally attached to a rigidwork carrier. When the levers are turned, the links are obviously raisedin an arcuate motion. but the rigid member connecting their lowerendscan travel only in a strict vertical path. More specifically, the leversare in the form of bell cranks with their upper arms lying horizontallyand directed towards each other and joined 4by a suitable operatinglinkage. These arms are rotated by means of a suitable actuator appliedto the connecting linkage. The 180 swing of the levers brings them abovethe travelling support which thereby takes the load when the work is inits full elevated position for transfer from one bath to another. Atthis time, an intermittent propelling device operates on one or more ofa series of links connecting the several travelling supports.

Another object of the invention is to dispense ywith the usual separatepropelling chain, and

is supported directly above the tank rather than to one 'side thereof.The work carriers, suspended from travelling supports on the track, lietransversely f the bath. While rounding the turns, the` work carrierstend to crowd or cramp ends. This tendency is, however, reduced by themounting of the track directly above the tank such that the turningradius of the carrier, or of the inside rail, is within and smaller thanthe arc followed by the center of the carrier. This arrangement permitscloser spacing of the carricrs and reduces the over-all length of theapparatus.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a planview of the conveying and dipping system.;

s Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is an elevation in a transverse plane;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation of one of the dippingl mechanisms, and

Figure 5 is a plan view thereof.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characterswhich are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The several tanks 3 comprised in the plating system are arranged in anendless series, preferably oval shaped in plan for a continuous platingoperation.

Over the tanks is supported a correspondingly shaped double-rail track 4by means of hangers 5. The rails 6 are preferably U-shaped with the openyside facing inward. The track carries a series of travelling supportsor carriers in the form of rectangular frame members I having one side 8lying along the inner rail and the opposite side 9 at the other rail. Atthe ends of the side 8 of each carrier, two trolley wheels I0 aremounted on horizontal axes and rest on the inner rail 6. Similarly,another trolley Wheel I I is mounted on a horizontal axis at the side 9of each frame and rests on the outer rail 6. The side members 8 ofadjacent carriers are joined by pivotally attached links I2 to form aconnected structure for propulsion, as will presently be described.Vertical pins I3 mounted in the extended sides 8 carry upper and lowerguide or bumper rollers I4 adapted to ride against the horizontal sidesof the inner rail, especially at the turns. It will bel noted that theframe is dropped to provide a lower portion I5 extending below ltherails, while the'higher portion I6 lies between the rails and carriesthe rollers I0, I I.

In each side of each carrier 8 (the sides being parallel to the rails),is mounted a double bell crank lever on a horizontal axis I'I. Thedepending side I8 of each lever is Y-shaped, terminating at their innerends and to spread at their outer in a stem I9. The horizontal doublearms 20 extend horizontally towards the center line of the track. y

Pivotally attached links 2l extend upward from the inner ends of thearms and have their upper ends swivelled on a common shaft 22, therebyforming two inverted Vs. At about the mid point of the shaft is mounteda yoke 23 carrying a horizontal transverse roller 24 for a purpose thatwill presently be described.

From the lower end of each stem I9 is pivotally suspended a link 25, andto the lower ends of the links of each pair or unit is pivotallyattached a cross member 2E having its ends 21 suitably shaped for thesuspension of plating racks 23 or the work itself, in any well knownmanner.

Slightly above the track 6, 6 and over each partition 2 is providedatransfer rail 29 lying parallel to the center' line of the track andadapted to engage the roller 24. The rail is adapted to be pushed downagainst the roller by any suitable means such as a pair of hydrauliccylinders 30 and is regulated in its upward movement by the same means.There is provided such a transfer rail for each partition 2, and

l each rail is extended a substantial distance over two adjacent baths3.

The action of the transfer rail on the bell cranks will now bedescribed. Downward pressure obviously turns the bell cranks on theiraxes I1. The lower ends of the stems I9 obviously swing outwardly inarcs and, due to the symmetry of the mechanism, the motion of both b ellcranks is of equal speed and magnitude. 'I'he links 25 are therebylifted and because of the rigid member 26 pivotally connected to theirlower ends, this member can rise only in a straight vertical line. Thelinks 2| are preferably of such length as to permit swinging the bellcranks through an angle of 180, bringing the arms I8 vertically abovethe frame 8, whereby the elevated load is supported by the frame orcarrier rather than by the hydraulic actuator. In this connection thelinks are bowed outwardly at 3i to clear the adjacent edges of thecarrier 8 and thereby permit the upper vertical position of the links25.

In its elevated position, the work is ready to be shifted to the nextbath. For this purpose, each of the connecting links l2 carries a drivelug 32 adapted to be engaged and pushed by a suitable' mechanism. Suchmechanism may consist of a hydraulic cylinder 33 in which is a rod 34with a one-way pawl l35 adapted to engage the lugs successively. Theone-way pivotal movement of the pawl 35 permits it to ride over the nextrearward lug.

This action is timed to occur Whiley the transfer rail 29 is depressed,and this explains the generous length of the rail. When the work reachesa position over the next bath, the transfer rail is raised and the workthereby lowered. It is desirable, and quite feasible, to control thespeed of lifting and lowering the work. For example, buoyant plecesshould be lowered slowly in order not to float off the hooks, and hollowpieces should be raised slowly for complete drainage.

The importance of the direct vertical lift and drop, as previouslyindicated, is to economize on tank length. In other words, the work istransferred at the extremities of adjacent baths whereas, if the motionwere only slightly oblique it would begin and end at a correspondingdistance on either side of the partition in order to avoid striking thelatter, and this distance in the baths wouldv be substantially wasted. l

IIrhe tank may be provided with two conductors 36 and an intermediateconductor 31 from which the anodes 33 are suspended. The racks 28 aredipped between the anods as shown. The direct vertical lift and dropassumes further importance in this connection inasmuch as a lateralsway, transversely of the tank, might cause the work to strike theanodes.

The positioning of the travelling carriers I around the inside rail 6,rather than within it,

causes the work carriers 2B to spread apart 'slightly while rounding theturns in the track.

Consequently the cramping of the work carriers on the turns is reduced,permitting closer spacing of the carriers and reducing the overalllength of the tank.

'I'he dipping devices can be accommodated for work of various heights byan adjustment in the lengthof the stems I9. The adjustment is made, forexample, by providing each stem with an end iece I9' threaded thereonand carrying the link Similarly, the links l2 may be adjustable, orreplaceable by links of different length, according to the horizontaldimensions of the work being handled.

Although a specific embodiment of the invenf tion has been disclosed, itmay be understood that various changes in the details of the .inventionmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention, asindicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of leverspivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended from thelowerendof each lever, a cross member pivotally attached to the lowerends of said links, and means for turning said levers on their pivotalaxes, whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member in avertical path..

2. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of leverspivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended from the lowerend of each lever, a cross member pivotally attached to the lower endsof said links, and means for turning said levers on their pivotal axes,whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member in a verticalpath, said links being bowed to clear said support when in their upperposition.

3. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a Ipair oflevers pivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended fromthe lower end of each lever, a cross member pivotally attached to thelower ends ofsaid links, and means for turning said levers on theirpivotal axes through an arc of l180", whereby to swing said links andraise said cross member in a vertical path to a position where the loadis supported upon said supporting member through said levers.

4. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of leverspivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended from the lowerend of each lever, a cross member pivotally attached to the lower endsof said links, and means for turning said levers on their pivotal axesthrough an arc of 180, whereby to swing said links and raise said crossmember in a vertical path to a position Where the load is supported uponsaid supporting member through l. said levers, said links being bowed toclear said vpended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended from the lowerend of each bell crank, a cross member pivotally attached to the lowerends of said links, and means for turning said bell cranks on theirpivotal axes, whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member ina vertical path.

6. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of bellcranks pivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended fromthe lower end of each bell crank, a cross member pivotally attached tothe lower ends of said links, a linkage connected to the upper free endsof said bell cranks and adapted to swing said bell cranks on theirpivotal axes, and means for actuating said linkage, whereby to swingsaid links and raise said cross member in a vertical path.

7. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of bellcranks pivotally suspended therefrom and each having an arm extendinghorizontally from its pivotal axis, a link pivotally suspended from thelower end of each bell crank, a cross member pivotally attached to thelower ends of said links, and means for turning said arms on theirpivotal axes, whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member ina vertical path.

8. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of bellcranks pivotally sus pended therefrom and each having an arm extendinghorizontally from its pivotal axis, a link pivotal1y\suspended from thelower end of each bell crank, a cross member pivotally attached to thelower ends of said links, and means for turning said arms on theirpivotal axes through an arc of 180, whereby to swing said links andraise said cross member in a vertical path to a position where the loadis supported upon said supporting member through said levers.

9. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair oi' bellcranks pivotally suspended therefrom and each having an arm extendinghorizontally irom its pivotal axis, said arms being directed towardseach other, a link pivotally suspended from the lower end of each bellcrank, a cross member pivotally attachedto the lower ends oi said links,and means for turning said arms on their pivotal axes, whereby to. swingsaid links and raise said cross member in a vertical path.

10. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support. a pair of bellcranks pivotally suspended therefrom and each having an arm extendinghorizontally from its pivotal axis, said arms being directed towardseach other, a link pivotally suspended from the lower end of each bellcrank, a, cross member pivotally attached to the lower ends of saidlinks, and means for turning said arms on their pivotal axes through anarc of 180, whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member in avertical path to a position where the load is supported upon saidsupporting member through said lever.

11. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair oflevers pivotally suspended therefrom, said levers being adjustable inlength,

a link pivotally suspended from the lower end of each lever, a crossmember pivotally attached to the lower ends of said links, and means forturning said levers on their-pivotal axes, whereby to swing said linksand raise said'cross member in a vertical path.

12. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair of bellcranks pivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended fromthe lower end of each bell crank, a cross member pivotally attached tothe lower ends of said links, each bell crank having a depending armadjustable in length, and means for turning said bell cranks on theirpivotal axes, whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member ina vertical path.

13. A' dipping mechanism comprising a travelling support, a pair oflevers pivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended fromthe lower end of each lever, a cross member pivotally attached to thelower ends of said links, and means for turning said levers on theirpivotal axes. whereby to swing said links and raise said cross member ina vertical path, a guide member extending a distance in the direction oftravel and adapted to maintain said turning means in the work-elevatingposition while said support travels said distance.

14. A dipping mechanism comprising a travelling` support, a pair oflevers pivotally suspended therefrom, a link pivotally suspended fromthe lower end of each lever, a cross member pivotally said links andraise said cross member in a vertlcal path.

JOHN V. DAVIS.

